The Gift from the Well

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To the friends and readers from whom I have been absent:

Hi.

Let’s start with this: I left this page to spend more time on my second book—the sequel to The Messenger.*  Now and again, readers of The Messenger would ask me that most wonderful of questions: When will the sequel be finished? If you’re a writer, there is no question more heart-warming—and humbling—than that one. Believe me, I’m grateful.

It is finished. To be more precise…the story is finished. More about that later.

Now let me say how good it is to be back. It was lonely out there, writing that second book. Writing a book is a lonely occupation. It’s you in a room by yourself with a blank screen. For a long time.

Staring at a blank screen is a scary, exhilarating, intimidating, metaphysical experience. It will awaken every insecurity you ever stuffed away in the dusty attic of your subconscious. And that’s the god’s-honest truth.

But. There are other moments, pinpoints in time, when you are immersed in a deep, quiet well, when the writing isn’t coming from you at all, but from somewhere else. These are the moments when you are the scribe, not the author. As the scribe (for you have a part to play), your assignment is to recount the story, scrub away the detritus of self, and leave the Gift from The Well intact.

My gift came at the lowest point in my life. My young son had passed away, and I could not find a reason to live. The gift was a story. And it came with a story teller, a guide from another time, another place. He told me the story of his life. Just that. I wrote it down. And it changed everything.  

I also recorded what was happening to me as the veil between me and my spirit guide, my story teller, gently dropped away. What I didn’t know was that our stories would converge, that they were bound one to the other in the spaceless, timeless story of life itself.

Some who read our story believe in spirit guides. Others suspend disbelief and accept it as a story of love. Still others are more comfortable reading it as fiction. It doesn’t matter to me. The story stands alone. It proves, or suggests if you prefer, that life does not end with the phenomenon known as death.  

The gift did not expire, nor does it ever, I believe, and the story did not end with The Messenger. It continues to its conclusion in the second book, which I have all but finished. Now here we are, as promised. As writers know, what comes after you are “finished” is another round or two—or three—of work. That is where I am now, listening to Beta readers (friends and target audience), re-writing parts, and getting ready for another go-round with my wonderful editor.

She and I never change the story; our task is to make sure that it is as clear and as true as we can make it. We know it is a gift, and we approach it reverently and with respect.

So, my dear friends, while all that is going on, I will revisit this page from time to time. I hope you will stay with me and keep me company. I welcome your comments. If you like what we talk about here, send the post to a friend. There is a lot going on in the world, most of which I cannot fathom, much of which is sad and fearful. Maybe together we can find a little sunshine behind the clouds and spread it. Or maybe we can spend a few minutes just walking each other home.

See you soon.

***

*The Messenger: The Improbable Story of a Grieving Mother and a Spirit Guide can be found on Amazon.

27 thoughts on “The Gift from the Well”

  1. This warms my heart and my soul is soaring!

    I love to see your wonderful gift of words appear on my screen!

    I look forward to reading this next gift💜

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  5. Helen, it’s so wonderful to hear an update. I look forward to the book and hopefully catching up soon. I think of you often and miss you ❤️❤️❤️

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  6. So happy to see your post. I have such fond memories of you.
    Your voice is calming and spirit-filled and reminds me there is gentleness in the world.
    Carole Landau

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  7. Dearest Helen, it feels so good to read what you have been up to after all this time. I’m so happy for you. Just can’t wait to discover this gem of yours! Take care,
    Magali

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  8. Thanks, Helen. It’s good to have you back. I’ve missed you. Fondest regards, John Morgan

    On Fri, Nov 5, 2021 at 6:01 PM helendelaney.blog wrote:

    > delconsult posted: ” To the friends and readers from whom I have been > absent: Hi. Let’s start with this: I left this page to spend more time on > my second book—the sequel to The Messenger.* Now and again, readers of The > Messenger would ask me that most wo” >

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  10. Helen, I don’t know why but I thought of you today and decided to check your blog again after many months. What a nice surprise to find a new blog! And what a coincidence that you posted the message on my birthday! I am so glad for you that you finished your book. You are a gifted storyteller. I also enjoyed rereading the story of Dorian which reminds me of our Dixie. I hope you are well. Thanks for sharing your insights. Warm regards, S.

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    • Hi, Sylvia –
      Soooo nice to hear from you – and happy belated birthday! I’m not fond of Facebook, but it is a way to stay in touch with my friends. My Dorian passed away two years ago – a truck. But I think he was ready to go…Anyway, much love to you.

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  11. So lovely to hear from you. I’m happy to take your thoughts with me for the rest of the day. (It’s going to be a long one.) I missed reading your blog and happy to hear about a new book. donna

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